The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making the claims process easier for Veterans whose records were damaged or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., and VA’s Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits Margarita Devlin, sat down to discuss the problem, noted how VA is fixing it, and then explained what affected Veterans should know and do moving forward.
1973 National Personnel Records Center fire
In July 1973, a massive fire broke out at the NPRC near St. Louis, Missouri, destroying an estimated 16 to 18 million military personnel records. The fire mainly impacted Army Veterans discharged between 1912 and 1960, and Air Force Veterans discharged between 1947 and 1964 with last names starting with Hubbard through Z.
For many of these Veterans, the records that burned may have contained crucial details about their military service and medical treatment—the kind of evidence often needed to support a disability claim decades later.
The problem VA is fixing
Even though it’s been over 50 years, the effects of that fire are still being felt today. When a Veteran’s records are missing due to the fire, VA seeks alternate sources—things like morning reports, hospital admission cards,and old Surgeon General’s Office extracts—to help reconstruct what happened during their service.
To do that, VA typically asks Veterans to fill out two forms: one about their medical treatment (NA Form 13055) and one about their military service history (NA Form 13075). Historically, VA has asked Veterans to fill out these same forms more than once—even when the information was already on file—because it wasn’t always easy for different claims processors to see what information had already been submitted. This contributed to delays for Veterans trying to get the benefits they’ve earned.
What’s changing for Veterans
VA began using a more consistent, Veteran-friendly process last month. That process includes:
- One packet, not repeated requests. Veterans will now receive a single, comprehensive packet at the start of the process containing both forms, so they only provide this information once. That packet will be saved and reused for all future development on their claim.
- No more duplicate paperwork. If a Veteran has already submitted the required forms, claims processors won’t ask again—unless NPRC specifically says it needs new or different information that isn’t already on file.
- Better visibility for VA staff. VA is improving how this information is organized and displayed internally, so all fire-related records and forms are easier to find in one place. Greater visibility reduces the chance of Veterans being asked to repeat themselves.
What this means for Veterans
These changes are intended to reduce the burden on Veterans who’ve already faced an uphill battle proving their service information due to circumstances entirely outside their control. Veterans can expect:
- Fewer repeat requests for the same information
- Clearer expectations about what’s needed and when
- Faster, more consistent claims processing
VA already applies a sympathetic evidentiary standard when a Veteran’s records are confirmed or reasonably believed to have been lost in the fire. VA can accept credible statements from the Veteran, fellow service members or others with knowledge of the event. This means Veterans are not penalized simply because their official paperwork no longer exists.
What Veterans should do
If you believe your records were affected by the 1973 NPRC fire—including if you were previously denied benefits because your records couldn’t be located—please don’t wait to file a claim.
1. File or reopen a claim at va.gov.
2. Get help if you need it. Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 or work with an accredited representative.
Veterans whose records were lost in the fire should not assume they’re ineligible for benefits, and you don’t have to rebuild your records alone. VA is here to help.
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My husband was in Vietnam on a TDY out of McCullen I was told to prove it, we were told records lost looking 2011 and now he is past and I get no benefits after his 27 years…. I will not ever give up, someone did fine the records, and it said Yes indeed he was in Vietnam and he did die of a service-related diagnosis, but it’s been a year and a whole bid of paperwork and no time to grief yet
So far, I only received the letter for Washington thanks for his service and the flag that they had on him when they took body out of our home they forgot to give me and my
daughter call about the flag, they said sorry your mom can come pick it up. I still am waiting for benefits; letter came he had no disability at the age of 81. His medical history was toxic with at least 5 diagnoses. Very disrespect by VA. every day they send out same news VA is working really fast on getting benefits for the service men and woman/ the war in Vietnam was a very bad war and the people who serviced in that war all should get the benefits they deserve and also the wars before and after ALL Veterans should be intitle to the benefits. I am so proud of every Veteran
I am a veteran service officer for the state of North Carolina. PLEASE seek assistance with your local VSO for the benefits you have earned! VSOs are FREE to utilize, don’t pay a lawyer or other agencies when you could pocket all of your earnings.
I believe that fire as affected some of the service records of those that server in the Vietnam war
from 1955 thru 1975.
I believe that fire as affected some of the service records of those that server in the during the Vietnam war
from 1955 thru 1975 .
Misinformation starts at the top. trying to gain access to historical
data is a night mare now. You can use FOIA and or Privacy Act request.
Only, NARA controls that data access and they have begun censoring
events like “WAR”. Your a Gulf war vet, it never happened. Look at the
NARA military access page. Nothing after 1974.
It gets worse. The newspaper Stars and Stripes was privately owned
before 2002. Declared bankruptcy and DOD bought it all for $85,000.
Before that, they were investigating Hep C contamination of the IVIG
and ISG vaccine products. Blood was derived unscreened from prison
population up till 1995. That big hep C out break of the 90’s was not vets
sharing needles. Uncle sugar gave it to them in mass. Then the paper
was bought out and those stories scrubbed.
Articles in Washington Post proves this: “Stars & Stripes papers consolidated
with sale” in January 2002. William Gardiner got the whole thing for $85,000
after DOD had bid $1,000,000 a year before. Drove off other bidders.
After that infamous event, the rest vanished by 2006. With it, stories that had
real content were gone. Paper became a puppet. So other followed. By 2026
DOD fired people outright that wanted to write “woke” articles. This crack
down was every where else including NARA. No more telling the public the
darker stuff, everything is becoming classified.
House and Senate subcommittees know this. You can go to them for help with
records but they wont find you much. They will pretend they dont know what
your asking and keep sending you to St Louis. So trying to get real records of
war events is completely off the books now. NARA staff will be rude to you and
then resort to charging you fees to discourage you. You know where it is at
Suitland, you have to go there to access it – not on the net. Anything to make
you give up. Congress knows this.
Access denied. Better get used to that. We have one writer at Stars and Stripes
that writes Gulf war stories – and she butchers them on purpose. Leaves out
details, censors veterans, doesnt true fact check. Part of the new policy? Sure
looks that way. She is in no danger of being fired. Wasnt like this in 1999.
Nobody digs for US military records like I do. Im tracking over 6 million. Gone
way past the 30 years mark. 34 years and still 99% classified. I have a petition up
on Change.org with 975 signatures. Nothing. NARA was supposed to release these
in 2017 to 2019. Full accession numbers and all. 400 boxes from Uscentcom. But,
its 2026 and still not past NARA review. Same with Special files of OSAGWI that show
how they mishandled veterans they interviews. Didnt volunteer data, relied on
veterans blurry memories. PSOB also.
You may get some records from NARA at St Louis. You wont get the ones that matter
for service connecting a claim. From DOD security review, NARA, and even the media
your on your own proving it. Ive fought this 28 years point blank with over 1,000 FOIAs
and such. Meetings with the Pentagon. Visited NARA. Hounded congress. Tons of
media interviews. America is not going to be honest about our wars.
America is too busy leaning on its population to not ask questions. Only, its gone
horribly wrong the last 20 years. This needs to stop.
Can the VA obtain daily reports from my service in Vietnam? Need to find a report for the day I was wounded. I was tagged but had to wait until next day to be extracted, I was treated at an aide station, given a tetanus shot. Never received my Purple Heart. Not making a claim, just want the Purple Heart I’m do!
Do you want my copy of my medical record from Hines in 1971?
In 1970 I was treated at Hines Hospital. It did hurt me that my records were destroyed. I do have a copy of my medical record but no one wanted my copy. I can send it to you if you like.
Joseph Agnello.
My father passed in 1993. Is his children able to file on his behalf?
Tried getting records for my Dad’s claim for several years. Always hit a brick wall because his files were lost in the fire. Kept pressing but nothing. My Dad was medically discharged from the Army and his DD-214 even stated as such. He lived the rest of his life partially blind and then finally stopped working when he lost his vision due to a procedure he received after a field training injury in his eyes. So sad. Now he has since passed away and nothing but a life of hardship for him and pain / headaches. Too little to late VA.
Gary J Thorne was transferred out of the Headquarters Co of the 46th Engineer Battalion on September of the year 1965 to the 35th Engineer Battalion which shipped to Vung Tau Vietnam. I was never informed by the 46 Headquarters as to the reason for this. I believe this was due to my stepfather’s request because I was being investigated to obtain a Security Clearence. Since my father failed to tell me why he never told me. My service number was [deleted by editor] I would like to find this under the Freedom of Information Act. I was not a citizen of the US until after serving in the military.
I cannot get my records from 1971 threw 1972. I call they tell me that my waiting period is about thirty too forty minutes. To talk to someone. I have tried to get my records around ten years, no records.
So, let me see if I have this straight — they wait until now to streamline a process for veterans from 1912 to 1964, really???? majority of whom have passed? so, the actuaries said to them — now would be a good time to announce this because the payouts will be minimal, but the PR will be good??!! Just like the gentleman below — my husband too was told his records were destroyed and he enlisted in 1968. I suspect they said that to all Vietnam Vets to avoid having to approve any claims.
My Husband died December 2, 1988, Vietnam Veteran two brain surgeries. Agent Orange papers filled out by him before he died. A 1 year death sentence. BUt I cannot seem to get anyones help even from the local VA here. TWO brain surgeries before he died. I even wrote the president of the US to help. Still no help. to this date I have received nothing as far as Widows benefits.
I need to get a New DD214 on my dad. What do I need to do to get that done. His date of birth 1928 and I would like to get him buried at Riverside VA National Cemetery
My wife and I have tried for hours just to sign into my VA account. via the Gov method. Still unable to get through. Unbelievable. I have a VA picture ID etc. CAN’T MAKE CONTACT WITH VA!!!!
I am a Korean war veteran who served in the Army between 1953 – 1957. Prior to my wife passing away in 2021 from Covid, she spent 10 years vigorously assisting me with trying to retrieve something, anything of my records given they were destroyed in the fire. EVERY SINGLE claim we made for benefits were denied because it was stated there was no information found on file for me. The struggle still continues today of me desperately trying to retrieve my records in which my family will also eventually need down the road for burial purposes as well. Everyone I’ve spoken with just passes the buck, no one cares that we as veterans have nowhere else to turn to and are in a vulnerable position. It is unacceptable that veterans are left in limbo and has had every option and door closed for a situation that was outside of their control. It saddens me that I made a commitment back then to represent my country in an honorable way and today when I need it most at 87 old, I’m left to figure this all out on my own, despite that there isn’t anything on my end I could have personally done different to fix this situation. I’ve made numerous calls, written numerous letters, sent numerous e-mails and submitted numerous claim forms. Whenever I believe there’s a slight glimmer of hope, I unfortunately receive a denial response and are asked to contact another department and complete the same process all over again. This constant run around is unacceptable and I truly pray this time veterans will really get the help and assistance we are so desperately in need of.
I filed for Disability back in 1975-1981 and was always told they could not find any records for me. It was like i never was in service. I must have filed 5 time and always the same result so i gave up on filing for years. About 6 years ago i said let me try again to see if they have any records on me and right away i got 70% then filed again and got 100% P&T. MY question is shouldn`t some how i be able to get all that back pay going back into the mid 70`s when the said they can not find my records or there was a fire and alot of records got burnt up. seems i am owed alot of back pay
I WAS INJURED BY AN ARTILLARY BLAST DURING MANUEVERS IN 1953 WITH A CUT IN A NERVE IN MY RIGHT EAR. IT LEFT ME WITH NO HEARING IN THE EAR FOR 3 DAYS. THE AUDIOLOGIST THAT TREATED ME WANTED TO K EEP ME 4 EXTRA MONTHS IN SERVICE, THO I WAS ALMOST READY FOR DISCHARGE, SO HE COULD WORK ON MY EAR. I FINALLY GOT MY HEARING BACK , BUT HAVE SUFFERED POOR HEARING ALL MY LIFE.
A WARRANT OFFICER LOOKED INTO MY PROBLEM & I WAS ISSUED HEARING AIDS BY THE VA FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I NEVER GOT OR TOOK A DISABILITY BY THE GOVERNMENT. A FEW YEARS LATER MY CASE WAS REVIEWED & I WAS ADVISED THAT ALL MY RCORDS WERE DESTROYED IN A FIRE IN ST. LOUIS RECORD BUILDING. I AM A RETIRED U.S. MARINE FROM THE KOREAN WAR 1951TO1953, ACTIVE DUTY, AND 6 MORE YEARS IN THE RESERVE. TOTAL 8 YEARS SERVICE.
Due to my foresight when I entered the USAF in 1955 I saved copies of EVERY order (or piece of paper) pertaining to my pay , orders or medical problems I had. When I retired my DD215 did not list several TDY trips to Vietnam or other TDY’s. It took over two years to get the records corrected. During this time it took the AF Staff Judge Advocate office and a Congressman along with a “threatened” lawsuit, but it was finally corrected. The government doesn’t work fast unless it is in their benefit. It’s been almost 50 year since I retired and I still have a stack of paperwork almost two inches high. Was it worth it?? YES !!
I could not pass my hearing test, before my discharge 11-15-1967. I contacted my local service officer, finding out about the fire that destroyed my medical records. The last Army doctor told me that there was some hearing loss but should not bother me unless I tuned pianos. The service officer suggested I get a good hearing doctor test done, which told me I had some hearing loss.
I could not pass my hearing test before my discharge November 15th 19
What if you were marrid to a vet went to vet nom in 68 does that count and he came back with ptsd while we were marrid and abused me he we were marrid for 17 years not now had 3 children is thair anything I can do for this
There were pictures of burns to my head, and hands, these injuries happened on the night of Feb. 28, 1952 in the hills north of Chowon,
Korea, I need these pictures.
I find it odd thast for years I have been told my records were affected by this fire, yet Idon’t see where my name or dates of service are listed?
I applied to the agent orange registry. The gal would not look at a color photo of me in jungle fatigues with my M-14 in front of the company sign at the front gate in Quin Yon.
She said I can’t use that to prove you were in Viet Nam. I gave her a copy of my original DD214. She handed it back and claimed I had forged it because of the records fire that occured soon after a female doctor at Richmond VA hosp had reported serious health issues with vets affected with Agent Orange. She was fired and the suspiciuos fire occured in St Lewis. Rumer has it the fire lasted for days because those records would not burn easily. a month later I returned to check my application. My application disappeared!
I reapplied. To this day I can’t get a VA doctor to look at my Agent orange condition.
Will I be able to access my father’s records from his service during World War II? Please provide the process to do this.
I am a Vietnam Era Marine Corps vet wife that served during 1959 to 1965. My husband died in 2017, and he was denied benefits due to his “records being lost in the fire.” They are still denying any appeals I have filed on his behalf since. His DD214 is incorrect, does not show his Vietnam service, nor any of the injuries / hospitalizations he incurred during his time in service. He received two battlefield commissions, but before he passed away, he requested copies of those. They cannot find them, because “they burned in the fire.” I requested them since then, and they will not even acknowledge the request. They just tell me there are no records. Just another way for them to cover everything up that our men and women do for our country, but our country turns their back on them. I work in the mental health field and meet with a lot of veterans through CCN. I hear stories like those listed in the comments and stories like my late husband every day, and it makes me sick the way our nation’s veterans are treated.
How do I know if my records were there?
I’ve been trying to get my husbands foreign service records that were put into the BLMPS for 6 yrs & been told that he has nothing showing TDY in Vietnam because it’s not on paper records so they will not pull the computerized records so they have denied the claims for 6 yrs. I can’t get anyone to help me retrieve those records. If anyone can help I would appreciate the help.
I would like to find out my father records from his time during WW 2. besides is there another site to look his records up . I have some information but I would like to know all of his ribbons and medals.
Yep. My father’s records were destroyed in the fire. He had contracted TB during WWII and was unable to have a claim processed. He would be 104 years old now. I hope this change will help someone.
When I submitted paperwork to VA I was told my records had been in the fire I contacted NPRC and was told the same thing and I was in from July 68 to August 77 I received 100% disability for Unemployability. Do I need to resubmit Request. I am asking because I believe my wife will not receive any part of my compensation since I received unemployability for my 100%.
I have been trying to get my records for awhile now, I was in the army, did my basic training at Fort Jackson SC. And my ait at Fort Gordon Ga. And was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas. I’m hoping to get these records.
Now they make this change after most of these veterans have passed
I’ve had a claim in for five months with over 200 pages of medical documentation with no response yet. No response at all other than acknowledging receipt of the medical documentation. I gave the country 28 years. You would think you would at least give me your attention.
Has anyone yet mentioned the problems with these documents and the system?
1. they are formatted too narrowly resulting in the need to use too many pages in printing them out.
2. several pages seem to have been cut off at the bottom so the narrative is not properly continued on the following pages
3. Where it says Leave a Comment, at least one of the documents says “comments are closed”
4. I am now 93 years old and many years ago when I applied for my medals was told they had no records of my deployment to Okinawa, my two TDY tours to Vietnam, my TDY to Taiwan, nor my personnel records, which were supposed to have been handled by the 1st Special Forces people in Okinawa to which we (97thCAMG Group) were assigned
5. I haven’t even been able to get a copy of my ROTC commission as a 2nd Lt, MSC, USAR, from 1956
6. I was discharged with the rank of Captain, Medical Corps, in late October, 1963, and yet was told my records were probably lost in the fire, so either the 1960 date for loss of Army personnel records is incorrect or there was some other foul-up
7. Fortunately, I do have photos of me in Vietnam, and some old xerox copies of some of those key documents
8. When I tried to get help from our local county Veterans Services Organization a while back I was told they were too busy handling all the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ issues so I pretty much gave up
9. Lastly, for now at least, my DD-214 does not mention my Vietnam service.
10. I would love to have all of this corrected before I die so my children and grandkids will have proof of my service to proudly remember me by.
I served 1964 -65 in ROK, 65-66 at Fort Carson, 66 in Panama, and 66-67 in RVN. Discharged 3/67 with Air Medal and Bronze Star. Regrets, I have lost DD-214 from 3/67 and 5/77. I would like to be able to fully verify my records.
I worked on the 6th floor at NPRC that nite in 1973 and then for 27 years I assisted thousands of veterans, family members and authorized representatives research and secure NARA certified copies of their individual 201 file and unit records. This decision by VA is welcome, BUT about 52 years late. No Secretary has ever been able to tell me how many thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions of claims have been denied because the records did not exist Of the approximately 17.5 million files destroyed or damaged in the fire, including thousands of records contained in the Top Secret/Secure 6th floor Vault, approximately 300,000 were from the Vietnam Era. The then older vets/families whose records were the greatest majority housed where the fire occurred have been denied for decades. Where is the VA remedy for that?
I’m a veteran who records were loss in the fire in 1973 and I ‘m having problems with the VA getting my Benefits.